The Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on Wednesday 22 April 2026 discussed the draft Council Plan for 2026-2030, focusing on its alignment with existing council policies and priorities. The committee also reviewed the Home to School Transport Consultation feedback, noting significant public concern regarding proposed changes, particularly those affecting vulnerable pupils and families. Additionally, an update was provided on the new Warwickshire Business Growth Service, designed to support local businesses following changes in funding and the closure of the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub.

Council Plan 2026-2030

The committee received a presentation on the draft Council Plan for 2026-2030, themed Recalibrating Warwickshire. Councillor Jonathan Chilvers, Leader of the Green Group, raised concerns about the plan's approach to the climate emergency, noting that the administration intended to review previous commitments on net zero and climate emergencies, inverted commas, with a view to replace them. He argued this was contrary to the council's unanimous declaration of a climate emergency in 2019. The committee formally proposed a recommendation back to Cabinet that the administration address concerns that the council's will regarding the climate emergency may not be carried out by the administration.

Councillor Chilvers also expressed concern that the previous Conservative administration's focus on reducing the inequality gap seemed absent from the current draft plan, despite the reform administration's stated intentions. The committee proposed a recommendation to Cabinet to consider how the plan reflects strategies to reduce income inequalities across the county.

Furthermore, Councillor Chilvers questioned the reflection of the Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4) hierarchy, which prioritises walking, cycling, and public transport over private vehicles, within the Council Plan. He noted a lack of specific inclusion for safer walking initiatives. The committee proposed a recommendation back to Cabinet for stronger inclusion of walking and a clearer reflection of the LTP4's transport hierarchy in the Council Plan.

Councillor Stan Carvell asked for clarification on the consultation process for the Council Plan, noting the relatively low number of responses compared to the county's population. Isobel Woods, Head of Economy and Skills, explained that a wide consultation had been carried out, engaging with various stakeholders and community sectors.

Home to School Transport Consultation Feedback

The committee reviewed the feedback from a public consultation on proposed changes to the Home to School and College Transport Policy. David Ayton-Hill, Director of Transport and Economy, presented the findings, noting that 623 responses were received, with a mixed reaction. Strong opposition was noted for proposals that would remove or narrow support affecting pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), respite settings, managed moves, catchment schools, and walking routes.

Councillor Lorraine Grocott questioned why the southern part of the county appeared to have had a significantly higher response rate to the consultation, speculating if this was due to more home-to-school transport provision in the south compared to the more rural north. She also suggested considering means-testing for SEND pupils' transport, particularly for families who may be more affluent, to avoid disadvantaging less well-off families.

Councillor Jan Matecki, Chair of the committee, acknowledged the difficult nature of the subject and the need to balance affordability with inclusion, noting that some provisions for SEND pupils were not statutory.

Warwickshire Business Growth Service

David Ayton-Hill, Director of Transport and Economy, presented an update on the launch of the new Warwickshire Business Growth Service (WBGS), which began in April. The WBGS aims to provide a single point of contact for businesses seeking support, advice, and growth opportunities. This new service has been established due to the closure of the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub and the ending of UK Shared Prosperity Fund funding. The WBGS will offer a modular approach to business support, focusing on key priority sectors such as advanced manufacturing, digital creative, the rural economy, and the visitor economy.

Councillor Lorraine Grocott inquired about how the effectiveness of the new streamlined service would be assessed and whether officers would proactively seek out new businesses. David Ayton-Hill explained that effectiveness would be tracked through metrics such as turnover growth, job creation, and safeguarding. He also detailed proactive outreach through marketing, collaboration with district and borough councils, and networking events.

Councillor Stan Carvell asked if the new service was simply a continuation of previous offerings or if there were new aspects. David Ayton-Hill confirmed that while it largely continued existing support, there were new areas of focus, including entrepreneurial skills development, equity finance access, and exploring AI and rural-based programmes.

Infrastructure Funding Statement 2024/25

Graham Palmer presented the Infrastructure Funding Statement for 2024/25, detailing Section 106 (S106) and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds secured, received, and spent. He highlighted headline figures including £10 million in new S106 agreements secured, over £36 million received, and over £21 million spent on infrastructure projects.

Councillor Jonathan Chilvers raised concerns about the lagginess of S106 funding delivery, citing the Harbury Lane scheme as an example where infrastructure was delivered after hundreds of homes were inhabited. He questioned if the statement could reflect missed timings and how to reduce the gap between funding receipt and scheme delivery. Graham Palmer acknowledged the issue and stated that all S106 agreements are publicly available, but admitted that digging out specific details could be complex. He agreed to look into including general information about how agreements are negotiated in future reports.

Councillor Chilvers also inquired about biodiversity funding, noting a significant amount (£5 million) held, with spending often in small increments. He suggested increasing the scale of biodiversity offsetting contributions being released. Graham Palmer explained that the spending period for biodiversity offsetting contributions is 30 years, and the ecology team plans spending over this period.

Councillor Chilvers further raised concerns about education contributions, noting a dramatic increase in requests, potentially impacting development viability. Graham Palmer clarified that education contribution requests are based on school capacity, forecasted pupil generation, and Department for Education cost per pupil, which is updated annually. He stated these requests are not linked to the cessation of central government grant funding.

Councillor John Waine questioned the long-term sustainability of infrastructure funding given local plan changes and potential demand shifts, such as school closures. Graham Palmer explained that the council contributes to district and borough local plans, assessing future infrastructure needs, and that early involvement in plan development is crucial.

Councillor Jennifer Warren supported Councillor Chilvers' point about potential delays due to officer resource issues, citing a specific Nuneaton development where a developer sought to amend an S106 condition to delay a trigger point, with a suggestion that this delay was due to the county council not having a final plan for the project. Councillor Warren also asked for a breakdown of the £128 million retained balance, distinguishing between schemes already in progress and those awaiting a defined timetable. Graham Palmer stated he could not provide this offhand but offered to share the full spreadsheet and provide extracts. He assured the committee that the team monitors funds to ensure they are spent appropriately and on time.

HS2 Update

Steve Smith, Director of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment, provided an update on HS2 construction in Warwickshire. He noted that the project is at a peak, with increased road closures due to the integration of offline infrastructure with the road network. He mentioned upcoming weekend closures on the M42 and M6 and significant disruption between junctions 6 and 9 of the M42. HS2 is also addressing issues in North Warwickshire regarding spoil heaps emitting foul odours.

Councillor Jonathan Chilvers asked about the status of 10 outstanding highway damage claims with HS2, valued at £1.7 million. Steve Smith confirmed that responses had been received for four or five claims, but the process had taken approximately 30 months. He agreed to circulate figures on the success rate of claims.

Councillor Chilvers also inquired about the HS2 Road Safety Fund, asking how much remained unallocated and the process for allocation. Steve Smith confirmed that the entire £8.045 million had been allocated and was now in the delivery phase. He also agreed to supply a list of completed cycling projects funded by the scheme.

Work Programme

The committee reviewed its work programme and agreed it was up-to-date. Councillor Chilvers requested that the report Steve Smith promised on the delivery of infrastructure be scheduled for a committee meeting as soon as possible.

Any Other Business

Richard Fenwick, Director of Highways, reported early warnings from highways contractors regarding the financial impacts of the war in Iran, particularly concerning oil prices and material availability. He assured members that conversations were underway with suppliers to identify mitigations and that a future report would provide details on potential financial impacts. Councillor Chilvers supported this, suggesting securing materials now at current prices might be beneficial.

The Chair, Councillor Jan Matecki, concluded the meeting, thanking officers, the public, committee members, and new portfolio holders for their contributions. He noted this was the last meeting for the current year.